Md. Atiqur Rahman

"He whose true desire is Martyrdom, Tell me, who can defeat him, who can defeat him?"
A youngster who brought light to his family was born in a secluded village in the Barishal division in the late 20th century. When their first kid was born, the parents were ecstatic. Atiqur Rahman was the name of this poor family's first kid. Atiqur's parents had a very hard time raising him. In a far-off village, his father was a muezzin. From his meager salary, the family somehow managed to educate their three children with a heart, full of hope. They hoped that their children would grow up to achieve great things and alleviate their parents' hardship.
The parents' hardship was indeed alleviated, but the terrorists and goons did not allow it to last long. By riddling their beloved child's chest with bullets, they seemed to have shattered the parents' dreams as well.
With the stings of these human-like hyenas, thousands of parents' dreams are lost in the abyss, becoming tears and a chestful of sorrow.
Family's Economic Condition:
Atiqur Rahman was the sole breadwinner of his extremely impoverished family. At the age of 28, he married his cousin, Mohua Begum, in a family arrangement. In search of a livelihood, he moved to Dhaka city. There, he lived with his wife in a small rented house and managed his small family by working as a graphic designer in a daily newspaper office. Despite such hardship, he never forgot to fulfill his responsibilities towards his parents. Along with bearing the expenses of his own family, he regularly sent money to his parents in the village every month. Martyr Atiqur Rahman has one son and one daughter. The son is 4.5 years old and the daughter is 2.5 years old. Since the entire responsibility of the family's livelihood rested on Atiqur's shoulders, his wife, Mohua Begum, became completely helpless after his Martyrdom. Atiqur Rahman's wife, Mohua Begum's family from her father's side is also financially very unsound. After Atiqur's death, Atiqur's wife did not receive much support from her relatives. Moreover, due to poverty, Atiqur's parents are also reluctant to take responsibility for their daughter-in-law and grandchildren. At present, Martyr Atiqur's wife and children are staying at the Martyr’s in-laws' house.
How he became a Martyr
Martyr Atiqur used to watch news on his mobile every day about the anti-discrimination student movement that started from Dhaka University. Seeing the boundless courage of the protesting students, Atiqur also wished to join the movement. Although getting a job was not his main objective, he could not tolerate such injustice of the autocratic government for years. That is why, deceiving his wife's eyes and without informing his parents, he often joined the movement. Atiqur's office time was one shift. So, after working in the morning shift, he would join the movement without returning home. He would also call his parents at home and tell them about joining the movement. He would also explain the importance of joining the movement to his relatives. Finally, on August 5, when the students and the public gathered on the streets with a victory procession, Atiq could not hold himself back. He went to surround the Jatrabari police station with the students and the public.
In the imagination of thousands of students and common people celebrating in the victory procession, it was not even conceivable that even after such a big revolution, the animal-like police force, who were licking the feet of the autocratic government, could launch a surprise attack on the procession or open fire. Overthrowing the imagination of the celebrating unarmed students and the public, the overzealous misguided police force launched a surprise attack on the protesters. In an instant, the victory procession turned into cries of agony. The Jatrabari area turned into a terrible battlefield. A killer's bullet hit Atiqur Rahman's head right in the middle of his forehead. The bullet shattered Atiqul's skull. Blood gushed out and stained the ground red. Shortly after, Atiq died on the spot. When Atiq's wife was informed about the incident through a call from Atiq's mobile, she repeatedly fainted. When Atiq's body was taken to the hospital, the doctors completed the formalities.
In the movement for building a discrimination-free society, Martyr Atiqur Rahman's body was taken to his village by his comrades. The elderly parents fainted repeatedly seeing Atiq's body. Atiq's wife became distraught seeing the blood-soaked body. After the Funeral Prayer (Janazah) prayers with the participation of the people of the area, Atiq was buried in the village graveyard.
Memories of the Martyr by Close Relatives:
• Father: Atiqur was my first child. From childhood, he was very gentle, polite, and prayerful. As long as he lived at home, from morning till night, he always went to pray with me. No one can understand how heavy the weight of a child's corpse on a father's shoulders is, except for a father who has lost a child. Even though he lived in Dhaka with his wife and children, he inquired about us every day.
• Martyr’s Mother: How can I forget the memories of the child through whose birth I became a mother for the first time? My tears have dried up, yet I cannot forget the pain of losing my child. The pain of losing a child haunts me every moment. Did my child not fulfill his duties towards his parents? I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts my beloved child as a Martyr and grants him a high place in Jannatul Firdaus.
• Martyr’s Wife: We had been married for five years. In that time, there was not a single day when my husband disrespected me or had any arguments with me. We had a wonderful married life. My father is no more; he passed away many years ago. After losing my father, I found my life partner as my guardian. How can a girl walk the path with two young children without a husband? My tears and the pain in my heart have not ended. I will have to carry this pain till my death. I have two children, four and two years old. They don't understand what death is. They keep asking, "When will Baba (father) return?" Then, I have nothing to do but hide my face in my veil and cry. I see darkness all around me. I don't understand what to do, how to take responsibility for my husband's children. How can I express the countless memories I have with him? Allah (SWT) gave me a very good life partner, but gave me very little time to spend with him. It is needless to say how much a widow is neglected in our society. I will only say this much: let the real culprits be brought to justice. And may no other girl be widowed like this.
• Martyr’s Aunt: My nephew was a very good boy. He loved and respected us very much. He always called to inquire about our well-being.
• Martyr’s Uncle, Md. Ishaq's Comment: He used to inquire about us every day. He would call us once. He advised me to be careful. May Allah (SWT) grant him a high place in Paradise.
• Friend: Atik was a very good boy. He was a very polite and knowledgeable person in the circle of friends. He gave good advice. In any kind of danger/risky work, Atik's mind would quickly come up with ideas.
Proposals for Assistance:
1. The Martyr’s wife could be provided with employment.
2. Housing is needed.
3. Provisions should be made to facilitate sustenance of the Martyr’s children.
A Glimpse of the Martyr's Personal Information
Full Name: Md. Atiqur Rahman
Date of Birth: February 18, 1990
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Address: Village: Ghunnabama, Union: Barjalia, Police Station: Hizla, District: Barishal
Father's Name: Md. Nasir Uddin, Age: 62, Occupation: Muezzin of the village mosque
Mother's Name: Noor Nahar Begum, Age: 50, Occupation: Housewife
Place of Incident: In front of Jatrabari Police Station
Assailant: Police
Time and Date of Martyrdom: August 5, 2024, 2:30 PM
Time and Date of Death: August 5, 2024
Location of Martyr's Grave: Barjalia Ghoner Hat Dewan Bari Graveyard, Hizla Upazila